Robbery suspect nabbed within minutes of holdup

Dover Police capture a bank robbery suspect, identified as James Wilkerson, 33, less than half an hour after the crime was committed.

Comment

By Staff reports

Dover Post

By Staff reports

Posted May. 5, 2014 at 1:14 PM

By Staff reports

Posted May. 5, 2014 at 1:14 PM

Dover, Del.

POLICE-0507-DP-WILKERSON

James Wilkerson

POLICE-0507-DP-OFFICERS

Dover Police officers search the area of the Country Club Apartments for evidence in the May 5 robbery of the nearby WSFS bank. JEFF BROWN PHOTO

Dover Police captured a bank robbery suspect less than a half-hour after the man allegedly committed the crime.

The robbery took place at 9:06 a.m. May 5 at the WSFS Bank at 1486 Forrest Ave., said police spokesman Cpl. Mark Hoffman.

The robber, later identified as James Wilkerson, 33, walked into the bank dressed all in black with a black mask covering his face, Hoffman said. Employees at the bank said the robber had a Hispanic accent, Hoffman added.

When he came into the building, the robber pointed a .357 revolver at a teller and demanded money. After receiving the cash, the man fled on foot, running across Route 8 and toward the Country Club Apartments.

Police arrived on scene within 60 seconds of the 911 call and set up a perimeter in the area, spotting loose money in the parking lots and grassy areas around the apartment buildings.

They also saw a man, later identified as Wilkerson, throw a piece of black material into a dumpster in the complex, Hoffman said.

Police contacted Wilkerson and recovered the mask from the dumpster. Wilkerson, who was wearing black pants, also had red dye on one ankle, the result of a dye pack exploding.

Officers searched Wilkerson’s residence in the Brandywine Court apartment complex adjacent to the County Club apartments, and discovered red-stained money and a handgun.

Wilkerson was charged with first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited.

The latter charge is the result of Wilkerson’s 2007 conviction for second-degree assault, Hoffman said.

Bond information was not available.

There were no injuries to bank employees or customers during the incident, Hoffman said.